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Banned text on UK's MI5 published
Previously suppressed comments say MI5 had "dubious record" on human rights.
Last Modified: 26 Feb 2010 14:33 GMT
Mohamed claims he was tortured in 'medieval ways' and that MI5 colluded with his abusers [AFP]

Previously secret comments by a senior British judge criticising the country's secret services over torture claims in a draft judgement on a former Guantanamo Bay detainee have been made public.

In remarks from a ruling earlier this month in the case of Binyam Mohamed, Lord David Neuberger said some members of the security services seemed to have a "dubious record" with regard to human rights and coercive techniques.

The comments from Neuberger, head of the civil justice system in England and Wales, were previously removed from the ruling following a complaint from Jonathan Sumption, a lawyer representing the government.

Ivor Judge, the head of the judiciary, said on Friday that the information had been published in "the interests of open justice".

'Dubious record'

Neuberger's suppressed comments came in a ruling ordering the release of information about the case of Ethiopian-born Mohamed, who was detained for nearly seven years, including over four at Guantanamo.

He claims he was "tortured in medieval ways" and alleges that MI5, the British domestic security service, colluded with his abusers.

Neuberger said evidence in the Mohamed case showed "some security services officials appear to have a dubious record relating to actual involvement, and frankness about any such involvement, with the mistreatment of Mr Mohamed when he was held at the behest of US officials".

He said he had in mind a particular unnamed witness and that "it is likely that there were others".

Neuberger added there were questions over whether statements about alleged mistreatment could be relied upon.

"Not only is there some reason for distrusting such a statement, given that it is based on security services' advice and information, because of previous, albeit general, assurances in 2005, but also the security services have an interest in the suppression of such information."

Source:
Agencies
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